NYPL State College Spikes

2008 Spikes Opening Day Roster Announced

June 17, 2008 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


(STATE COLLEGE, PA) - The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced the Opening Day roster for the State College Spikes. Exactly half of the Spikes 30-man roster will be made up of players drafted in 2008, with the other half being comprised of players who have spent at least one year in the Pirates organization.

Four of the Pirtates' top 10 draft picks will make their professional debuts with the Spikes. Third round draft pick Jordy Mercer, out of Oklahoma State, and fourth round draft pick Chase d'Arnaud, out of Pepperdine University, are currently the highest 2008 draftees on the Spikes roster. Other 2008 Bucco draft picks on the Spikes Opening Day roster include Jeremy Farrell (8th round), Matt Hague (9th round), David Rubenstein (11th round), Calvin Anderson (12th round), Brian Leach (25th round), Mark Carver (33rd round), Matt Payne (34th round), Alan Knotts (38th round), Chris Simmons (41st round), Cody White (42nd round), Mike Williams (44th round), Allen Ponder (45th round), and Owen Brolsma (48th round).

There are only a few familiar faces on this year's roster, with only three players making previous appearances in State College. The most familiar to fans in the State College community will be Gary Amato, who played his college career with Penn State and played for the Spikes late last season. Amato will be joined by Kyle McPherson who made his State College debut August 24 last season. An additional pitcher will join the two right handers, Yoffri Martinez who pitched in 13 games for the Spikes last year. There are no position players on the roster who have played previously in State College.

The roster will include four additional 2007 draft picks who spent last season playing for the Gulf Coast League Pirates including Maurice Bankston, Butch Biela, Quincy Latimore and Chad Rice. In addition, the team will welcome five other players who spent the 2007 season with the GCL Pirates including Carlos Amaro, Ryan Kelly, Josue Peley, Rudy Owens and Ciro Rosero. Ramon Aguero and Silvio Pena will join the Spikes after playing for the Pirates in the Dominican Summer League last season.

The Spikes begin the 2008 season in Jamestown tonight at 7:05 p.m. as they take on the Jammers. All the action can be heard live on 3WZ 95.3 FM or online at www.statecollegespikes.com.

The team returns home Thursday, June 19th, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Former Penn State star and Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson will be at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to throw out the first pitch and fans can enjoy the first post-game fireworks show of the season as well. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office, by calling (814) 272-1711, or online at www.statecollegespikes.com.

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New York-Penn League Stories from June 17, 2008


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